HOME FRONT42...The Play!

[captainb]

Chief Talbrut

Earl and Jack looked at each other. "Go help her," the chief said and grabbed the phone by the door. While waiting for the operator to make the connection, he stared at the German's corpse and swallowed. For all of his experience, Earl hadn't killed anyone since 1919. People just didn't commit crimes around here that warranted being shot at. But when that bullet whizzed past his ear he had reverted to instinct. Part of him objectively congratulated himself on such a tight pattern; all three shots within a few inches of each other. Another part felt sick as he looked at the ruined body on the floor. Then he remembered Sophie and Maggie, and turned away to speak into the phone.

"The ambulance is on its way," Earl said as he entered the bedroom. He saw Maggie and silently swore, then looked at Toni. "Can you do anything for her?"

"I'm just trying to make her comfortable," she replied, fighting back tears.

Earl looked at Jack, who returned his gaze. The chief nodded and glanced down. "I'll wait for them outside." He moved out of the bedroom and picked up a dishtowel, throwing it over the faceless corpse. Stepping outside, he reloaded his gun and waited as the siren's wail grew in the distance.

 

[faith]

The shot...

....I could hear the voices of the men... and a woman...

"Maggie....You're safe."
I hear the certainty in Toni's vioce.

" Shhhh, It's going to be okay"
And then I hear her doubt.

She didn't understand, I would make it. I have no choice. I have to win.

It takes every ounce of energy to open my eyes. My head is turned towards the door. I see Earl in the other room, looking down. He has a towel in his hand. He looks...sad. He drops it and heads toward the door.

I didn't realize I had whimper out loud...Toni strained to hear my words...

"He's leaving..why's he leaving?...can't let him see me like this..."

Overwhelmed I lose consciousness....Toni follows my line of sight to the retreating back of the sheriff......

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Toni Moore

Toni wanted to scoop her friend up and hold her in her arms, rock her, assure her that everything was going to be all right. But she couldn't. There was barely an inch of Maggie's body that wasn't cut or bruised. She had seen it all. Or most of it anyhow before she had covered her gently with a sheet.

She sat on the side of the bed, holding Maggie's hand, cooing soft soothing sounds of encouragement. Brushing her hand softly over the tangled and bloody mass of curls that had been so bright and bouncy earlier that day, she felt Jack squeeze her shoulder.

Toni could hear the sirens drawing closer. "Soon, Maggie. Everything will be okay soon." Turning to Jack, Toni whispers, "Do me a favor, will you? Get Earl and bring him in here. You can wait for the ambulance to come. OK?"

Jack bent down and kissed her forhead before going out onto the porch.

 

[captainb]

Chief Talbrut

The ambulance lights had just appeared at the far end of the road. It would be a few minutes until they arrived at the beach house. Earl turned as the door opened. Jack stepped out and eyed the chief warily. "Toni says you should go in. I'll wait for the medics."

Earl's eyes drifted to beyond the door. "Okay," he said. He took a step, then hesitated and looked at Jack for a moment. He seemed ready to say something, but then his mouth tightened and he pushed open the door. Jack watched his back, then turned to look at the approaching lights.

Toni looked up as he stopped at the bedroom door. She whispered something to Maggie, then moved to the chief's side.

"They're almost here," he said quietly.

She looked from him to Maggie, then back. "Chief," she began, then stopped and took a breath. "Why did you come out here?"

He looked past her to Maggie, and motioned for Toni to step out of the room. "It's about Andrew," he said. Toni hugged herself and her eyes filled with tears, but she listened. Earl grimly plowed ahead. "He was killed by the German. We found him in Sophie's room." This last was so quiet that she had to lean close to hear him. "I... didn't want the details to get around, not any more than they have to. You know." He stuck his hands in his pockets and looked back to the screen door as tires crunched on the driveway. "She doesn't... no one deserves any of this."

 

[ariosto]

Carmody

Their love making that afternoon was gentle and unhurried. John was comforted by the feel of Bette around him and she was comforted by the feel of John within her.
He came very quickly, having worked himself as well as her up with his mouth and tongue. He was surprisingly virile for a man his age and filled her with his spend after a number of powerful thrusts.
They lay back in the rumpled sheets and looked up at the slowly turning fan overhead.
He told her again about how badly he was shaken up after telling Claire of her loss and he wondered if he would have the strength to tell Bette if Frank Junior were to be killed or David, God forbid.

The phone rang and she stepped into the hall to answer it.
"John," she whispered, holding her hand over the receiver,
"It's Toni, she says the calls have all been made and she's leaving work a little early."

He nodded and with a sigh swung out of bed and began dressing. It was already 3:30, there was a war on and John Carmody had spent half the day in bed.

 

[faith]

Maggie at the hospital

“Maggie…come on girl. It’s Doc. I need you to open your eyes for me. Just for a second. That’s a girl. Maggie I need you to listen to me now. You’re going to be okay. I know it doesn’t feel that way right now but it’s the Gods honest truth. Nurse Anderson is going to be in here shortly to give you a shot. When you wake up it will be a new day. Tomorrow we’ll talk. Close your eyes now. Beck sit here with her until Anderson gets here with her meds. Maggie, I need to go talk to Earl again. I’ll be right back.

Closing the door behind him, Doc approaches the waiting area where Earl, Toni, and Jack sit. He sees the questions in their eyes.

“She’s going to be okay physically. I know she looks bad but there is no life threatening wounds or head trauma. There may be some scarring from the bite and knife wounds but they will heal. There is some deep bruising…Hold on a second…”

“Nurse I want to make an adjustment on that before you take it in.”

“Anyway I don’t want her told about the nazi killing Andrew and Sophie until tomorrow. So you three get out of here for the evening. She needs sleep and time to start healing right now. I’ll have a nurse at her side all night. She won’t be left alone even for a moment. You’d just be in our way. Let us do our job”

“There you go Anderson, give her the shot and I’ll be in shortly.”

Opening the door the nurse approaches the bed.

“Beck is she asleep?….Good... You’ve got to hear what I just overheard Doc and the Chief talking about…Andrew Sinclair is dead ….”

All I felt was relief that I was finally free…

 

[Yoc]

Frank Jnr

Pulling the car up in the drive, Frank turns off the engine and gets out the car.

"Are you coming in? I'm sure that Mom would love to see you." he asks as he walks towards the front door.

Opening the door, he glances over and sees Maisy running towards him. Playfully he tries to close the front door before she gets to it. Of course, he's too slow.

"Hey!" she shouts at him before he takes her in his arms and gives her a loving kiss.

Breaking away, he walks into the house.

"Mom? Are you in?"...

 

[Yoc]

Deak

A little resistance!

"I'm sorry, Mom.", staring at his feet, "I didn't mean to upset you. It's just that...that" he falters. "I don't know what to think. A part of me feels guilty because you are my stepmom, my father's wife. But you are so lovely, so beautiful. I-I wish I didn't have these feelings for you but I do and I don't know what to do about them. I'm just so confused."

Continuing with his command performance, he looks up at her. "I'm sorry if I hurt you! I-if you don't want me around..." he continues to look at her, his eyes welling up...

 

[captainb]

Chief Talbrut

Toni moved to the door for a last look at Maggie. Earl stepped closer to Jack and spoke. "Things have been pretty rough here the past twenty-four hours. This is, um... this town's going through a lotta changes, you know? So, um.." He straightened and looked at Jack. "I'm still not comfortable with you, Becker. I don't know you. But... I was wrong about you and the kraut."

Jack regarded him silently. Earl scratched his neck and looked towards Toni. "That's a good woman there."

Jack said, "I know."

They looked at each other for a moment more, then Earl nodded. "I've gotta find the doc. I need to talk with Maggie as soon as she's ready. See you 'round." He walked past Jack to the nurse's desk.

 

[ariosto]

Jack

Everyone in town who was not concerned with Weiler's escape was down at the pier watching the Quincy tie up. The tugs had given a last hoot and were bearing away as sailors tossed the mooring lines to the hands on the dock.

"My God Toni, look at them all!"
The decks of the ten thousand ton cruiser were lined with eager young men in dress blues waiting for a last taste of liberty before going to war.

"John says we'll have almost a thousand men loose in town tonight...I have almost 300 families in town that are offering
dinners to them."

Jack kept looking at all those faces, save for a few weathered salts, they all looked like kids.

Toni put her arm through his,

"C'mon Jack, lets make sure all those names got to the USO, that's where they're going to pick them up. Then we can head back to my house and get cleaned up.

Arm in arm they turned from the pier and walked away.
One set of eyes followed them every step untill they disappeared.
He was a bit older than most of the swabbies and darkly handsome.
He knew the striking woman. He knew her from New York, in fact he knew her very well indeed.

 

[Moneytalks]

Mrs Taylor

"I'm sorry if I hurt you! I-if you don't want me around..." he continues to look at her, his eyes welling up...

Marie looked at him. Gone was the confidence and passion of earlier and in his place the boy... with that lost and unloved look in his eye that had convinced her she could make a good home for him with his father.

She wasn't stupid, however she wasn't heartless either and her heart forced her to think carefully on how to respond.

She was given some respite... the doorbell rang.

"We shall just forget it for now Deacon... we have guests." She wiped her hands on her apron before removing it and placing it on the kitchen table. She hurried to the front door.

Opening it revealed two men in uniform. One dark haired and green eyed with a cocky smile the other by his side a little more timid and a foot shorter, perhaps nervous the way he wrung his hat between his hands.

"Mrs Taylor?" The taller man inquired.
"Yes... yes... you're the boys from the Quincy then?" She asks with a forced smile.
"Sure are... I'm Private Adam Dickson, and this here is Private Luke Granger... we're mightly pleased to be here Mrs Taylor" he finished with a warm smile.
Marie immediately warmed to him, he seemed such a fine strapping young lad.
"Please boys, call me Marie... you should just relax and enjoy your meal here... come in, come in!" She smiled ushering them into the living area.
"This is my son Decon, my daughter should be home soon to join us, unfortunately defence business will be keeping my husband away tonight, but he does extend his own welcome from afar..." she smiled again letting the boys look around before sitting themselves down.

"I'm just going to put the finishing touches on the meal and I'll call you all in when it's ready... Deacon... could you offer them a drink please?"

And she hurried back into the safety of her kitchen to check on the food.

 

[Tibxo]

Deak

He watches his stepmother's delicious hips swaying as she walked back to the kitchen.

Turning back to the two soldiers, he asks them what they would like and quickly supplies with them with bottles of beers.

They then just sit there in an awkward silence as they each drink their alcohol.

Finally...

"So when do you get called up?" It is the taller of the two, Dickenson he thinks his name is.

"I'm not!" Deak replies.

"But I thought everyone wants to join up and fight for Uncle Sam?" the soldier says.

"Not me! I ain't putting my butt on the line for anybody. Including this country. Especially for this country!" Deak shoots back, acting tough.

Dickenson snaps to his feet.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked, his face darkening.

"Just that not everyone's fool enough to lose their lives for this 'great country'." Deak mutters, taking another swig from his bottle.

Dickinson is now moving towards him, eyes blazing.

"This country is the greatest country in the world and you should feel honoured fighting for her." He stops and addresses his comrade without taking his eyes off of Deak. "Do you know something, Luke? I reckon this guy's yella."

What!!!?

"That's why he won't fight for his country." he continues, now standing directly in front of Deak, allowing him to dig him in the ribs which he does.

"Isn't that right?" he asks Deak, prodding him again.

Toe to toe, the two boys are about the same height though Deak is slightly heavier set. With a rough push, Deak shoves the solder back and then he lifts his fist up to take a swing...

 

[Tibxo]

Frank Jnr

No answer!

They are both in the hall now.

"Strange? Where's Mom? She said she would be in." he mutters to himself.

Then he hears movement upstairs.

Suddenly he remembers hearing that there's a German on the loose.

Maybe he's upstairs with Mom!

"Stay here!" he whispers to Maisy.

"What??..hmmm!" she tries to say before Frank puts his hand firmly over her mouth.

"Shhh! Now stay here!" he whispers.

Clenching both his fists, the boy slowly starts up the stairs...

 

[Moneytalks]

Mrs Taylor

Marie had just checked on the meatloaf and was satisfied with it. She took all the plates she needed to the dining room table and put out the cutlery too. Her serving plates were gifts from close friends from her first marriage and she ran a hand along one well worn and chipped edge before arranging the baked vegetables on it. The meatloaf was placed on a separate plate with some lightly steamed beans. She had also baked some fresh bread rolls for the occassion which she piled into a bread basket.

She walked back into the lounge room just in time to see Deacon raise his fist.

"DEACON!" She cried out in shock.

 

[Moneytalks]

Maisy

It was his stance as Frank climbed the stairs that finally convinced her to be silent.

She was scared suddenly. Was someone up there?

She picked up the phone... intending to call the Sherrif... she was nothing if not level headed, and she didn't want Frank confronting some possibly dangerous person on his own.

 

[Tibxo]

Deak

"What is going on here?" Marie Taylor cries out.

At her arrival, the two boys move apart, Deak lowering his fists.

Caught offside, Deak tries to regain his composure.

"Sorry, Mom. 'Dick' here" patting the soldier on the back, "and I were having a discussion about how the Japs fight in unarmed combat. Isn't that right, 'Dick'?"

"Huh? Oh....er....yes!" Dickinson says, completely taken back by Deak's behaviour.

"I think you are right, Dick. I think our boys can whip those Nips when fighting man-to-man."

Then turning to his stepmother.

"Sorry, Mom. I got to run. I forgot I was supposed to be meeting people tonight." he says, grabbing his coat.

"You can't go out in your condition. What about your injuries?" Marie Taylor says.

"I feel a lot better. Thanks to you. See you guys later." and Deak walks out the house...

 

[Moneytalks]

Mrs Taylor

Marie watched the door slam as Deacon left the house and then back to the service men who looked just as dumbfounded as her.

"Well..." She managed a smile... "dinners about ready, maybe you boys would like to take a seat? I'm sure my daughter will be home any minute..."

The men smiled and followed her into the dining room.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Toni Moore

http://www.Bibracte.dreamwater.org/ATWAS/ritaplaid.jpg
Toni and Jack swung by Hampton Street to pick up a change of clothes for him and then headed for her house on Oak. Neither of them felt much like celebrating, but it was an important event and the crew of the Quincy hadn't had shore leave in a dog's age.

Toni parked the car and Jack grabbed his clothes, following her inside. Maisey stood at the bottom of the stairs watching Frank Jr. as he crept slowly up them.

"What are you kids up to?" Tonii asked with a grin.

"Shhhh!" Maisey hissed in reply. "There's someone up there! Frankie's gone to see."

Toni raised an eyebrow and looked at Jack who shrugged, heading up the stairs with both girls close behind. As they joined her brother outside their mother's bedroom door, Frank gestured that they should all be quiet and listen.

The bedroom door began to open slowly and Frank Jr. got ready to pounce on the 'intruder'. Bette Moore emerged from her room, a sleepy look on her face. Jack grabbed Frank Jr. by the collar pulling him back.

"What in heaven's name is going on here??" their mother demanded.

"We heard noises. You didn't umm... answer. We thought someone was in the house," Frankie tried to explain.

"Leave me out of this," Toni chuckled. "You're on your own, Frankie. Looks like you cracked this spy ring wide open." Still laughing, Toni and Jack went down the hall to get ready for the sailor who was coming to dinner followed by the gig at the USO.

 

[Tibxo]

Frank Jnr

Frank just stands there looking sheepish. His mother still glaring at him.

"Hem! Sorry, mom!"

So much for showing off in front of my girlfriend! he thinks to himself.

Looking back at Maisy, he catches her sniggering before she can hide it.

"Thanks!" he says to her as he pasts her going downstairs...

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Toni Moore

http://www.Bibracte.dreamwater.org/ATWAS/ritaplaid.jpg
Once in her room, Jack pulled Toni into his arms and kissed her. Long and deep, the way he had wanted to all day. "Missed you. Missed this," he murmured into her neck as he nuzzled his way downward.

Toni pushed him away suddenly and he looked at her in surprise. She chuckled at the question in his eyes. "Mom should be downstairs starting dinner and Frankie and Maisie are probably off discussing spies." She laughed again as she remembered the look on her brother's face when mom had walked out of the bedroom.

Kissing Jack lightly, she grabbed his hand and led him back out into the hall. "What I was thinking was... Well, we could both use a bath, dontcha think?"

This time it was Jack's turn to laugh as he kicked the bathroom door closed behind them and started to unbutton Toni's blouse.

 

[Tibxo]

Frank Jnr

He hands over the keys to his mom.

"Thanks, Mom." he says, still embarrassed with what just happened.

Mrs Moore looks at her son and impulsively hugs him.

"What's that for?" he asks.

"Does a mother have to give a reason to cuddle her eldest son?" she says.

She gives him a kiss and lets go of him, returning to her business in the kitchen.

"Are you two staying for dinner?"

"Well..." he says, looking over at Maisy, who still has that grin on her face, "we were thinking of having dinner at Maisy's".

"Oh okay!" she replies. "Enjoy yourselves."

"I dunno about that." Frank says, rolling his eyes. "Maisy's meant to be making dessert. Don't know if my poor stomach can handle that. Ouch!" A dig in the ribs tells him that Maisy heard his remark.

His mother had seen the girl's reaction too and laughs...

 

[Moneytalks]

Maisy

"Mrs Moore, you're welcome to join us, I'm sure mum would love the company, apparantly dad is still called away on business and won't be able to make it..." she smiled hopefully at Frankies mother. Not hidding her fondness for her.

Frankie was about to open his mouth... and probably once again warn his mother off about Maisy's culinary skills.

She grinned... "oh, and I'm sure my dessert won't be nearly as bad as Frankies over active imagination..." she finished. Poking her tongue out at him.


Mrs Taylor

"I do hope Maisy will be home soon..." she miled at the two men as she began to serve the meal. She worried about Deacon. Everything that had happened...

She paused.

She never did find out exactly what had happened to him..

With everything else. She blushed now. He hadn't told her anything. Maybe she should have called the Sherrif? He was out again now, it mightn't be safe for him. She bit her lip thoughtfully.

"Excuse me for a moment boys... help yourselves to the vegetables and bread... I've... I've just got to make a quick phone call..." she smiled and hurried out of the room to the phone in the hallway.

Picking up the handset she called the number quickly.

"Hello... this is Mrs Taylor... would Mr Taylor be available?
"Hold the line please... sorry Mrs Taylor, your husband isn't available at the moment, can I take a message..."
Marie's heart fell.
"N... no... no it's fine... I'll... I'll call again later..."
With a sigh she let the handset fall to the cradle.
Making a decision she picked up the phone again.

"Sherrif's department"
"Hello... this... this is Marie Taylor... I need to report something... it's about my son Deacon... he was in a fight of some sort earlier today... he wouldn't tell me what had happened but he left the house not long ago and I'm concerned for his safety..."

 

[Tibxo]

Frank Jnr

"Oh tell that to the poor cat!" Frank grins, getting another poke from Maisy.

"But her mom's cooking's great."

His mother turns to grab something and Frank uses it to give Maisy a severe tweaking.

They only just manage to stop tweaking each other when she turns back to face them.

She eyes them suspiously.

"Why don't you come along, mom? Besides I need protection from this bully." pointing at Maisy who is grinning all innocently...

 

[captainb]

"...so I told her I'd pass it along an' that we'd keep an eye out for him."

Earl keyed the handset. "That's fine, go ahead and tell the boys. If they find him, I wanna know."

McGreevey signed off and Earl chewed silently on a toothpick as he drove. Deacon Taylor in a fight. Not much of a surprise there. Where would he be hanging out tonight, him and his buddies? He drove slowly up the hill, the lights from the docks reflected in his mirror. The doctor had said he'd call when Maggie was able to talk. Of course Earl hoped she got out of the hospital quickly, but he sure wasn't in a hurry to talk with her this time.

 

[ariosto]

Was it just last night that he and Toni had made love with Flying Fortresses zooming over their heads! My God it seemed like an eternity...

He knew that they didn't have much time, soon the house would fill with strange young men on their way to fight a war. Hungry for one last home cooked meal...one last connection to a world they would soon leave behind.
These moments of intimacy he knew were precious threads stolen from a bigger tapestry whose dimensions were yet unknown.
Her blouseopened and he leaned forward, burying his head in the soft darkness between her breasts. He felt her fingers gliding through his hair, pressing him even closer.
Her bra fell away as she unclasped it one handed and his hands were soon cupping her, holding her up like an offering to his lips, which kissed and teased her nipples until they responded. He opened his mouth and tried to fill himself with her. He could feel her warmth against the back of his throat. He drew back delighting in the feel of her passing under his teeth all the way out to the coral tip itself.

"Ummmmmmmm....that's nice she whispered.
So he did it again and again to both breasts until a flush of crimson spread across them and her fingers were fumbling eagerly with his belt buckle.